Kukla's Korner Hockey

Lars Eller looked great tonight – he scored a goal! – and the Montreal Canadiens notched a victory over the Calgary Flames, albeit one that should have been easier.

A 4-0 lead dwindled to a 4-2, and then Calgary tied it up in the third period. The collapse followed yet another late second period goal, which begs an important question – what is with all the late period goals the Habs have given up this year?

The Flames scored with a minute and change left in the second, literally the fourth or fifth time in recent memory the Canadiens have given up a goal with about a minute left in a period. Normally it takes the wind out of their sales, and with good reason. It happened last Wednesday against Pittsburgh, and the wind essentially came out again tonight. No question these goals deflate the team. So why is it allowed to happen?

I’m surprised this isn’t getting more attention, and perhaps moreso that it hasn’t been addressed. Either the Habs are getting soft late in periods or their opponents are getting better. Regardless, they need to continue playing hard for a full twenty minutes, and if it’s not happening the coaching staff needs to address it.

PK Subban was the hero tonight, scoring a beautiful goal in overtime, followed by one of the best goal celebrations of recent memory. Subban slid about a third of the way down the ice on one knee, shooting an imaginary arrow into the rafters of the Bell Centre. Anyone else curious to see what Don Cherry has to say on Saturday night?

All in all, not a bad performance by these Canadiens, ravaged by the flu and no doubt exhausted. Mike Cammalleri scored his first goal in over ten games. Carey Price looked solid in relief of Alex Auld.

Another year, another flu…

Another pertinent question: why are the Canadiens demolished by the flu, it seems, year after year? Yes, other teams get the flu, but not consistently, and not to the level that Montreal does.

While I have no inside information, a CBC documentary on Friday regarding the homeopathic medicine industry mentioned that the Montreal Canadiens employ a homeopathic medicine to prevent the flu each year, and are about to become the first NHL team to endorse such a medicine. This same show also went on to prove that the medicine doesn’t contain anything medicinal – it’s just sugar – and suggested the idea it made any sort of difference in terms of flu prevention was just bunk. Perhaps this explains the Canadiens predisposition to bad flu bugs? I’d be curious to know whether or not the team asks players to get the flu shot.